Other career opportunities for a math major?

[JasonJo]

Hey,

I'm trying to find a good backup plan if I end up getting rejected from grad school again. This seems to be something that can and (probably) will happen. This is my 2nd time applying and if I don't get in this time, then I never will, because I tried really hard this time.

OK, anyway. If I don't get into math grad, what are some other options? I did a double major in applied and pure math. I took courses like probability, stochastic processes, computational geometry. While I liked all those, I didn't delve into it as deeply as my proposed grad interests. I really did put all my eggs in one basket.

I have no programming skills. I don't know how to use any sort of specialized computer programs, like any stats programs, photoshop, etc.

I was thinking about becoming a teacher. I am currently tutoring high school students in precalc and I enjoy doing it. I am considering sending off a Math for America teaching application. They have a nice fellowship program and they seem to do a good job placing teachers in the right situations.

Other than that, I don't really know what else I can do. I don't see myself picking up any programming skills in the immediate future. I haven't taken any coursework outside of mathematics for the last 3 years. Any work experience has been tutoring or related to math as well.

I have an offer of Masters admissions from NYU for next year, so if I don't get into any PhD programs, I can go to NYU. I might do this, but I am so freaked about taking on so much debt. I have written about this before and I just don't know what to do.

Any ideas? Help?

 

[RasslinGod]

i prolly wouldn't do thr masters if ur going to get into debt. IS that like a MA for math?? Thats prolly not going to do much for your employability...and ur gonan waste money and time for it. If i were you, i would do somethign else that woudl give better job prospects.

 

[mal4mac]

I agree about the MA - probably a waste of time and money. (I did an MSc so I know!) If you like teaching then why not go for that? All good teachers (rightly) get a lot of respect, and that shouldn't change. What better job prospects are there? You might otherwise end up in a flaky finance house and have everyone detesting you...

 

[Vanadium 50]

Did you take the actuary exam?

 

[atyy]

I didn't go to school in the US, and as a biologist have no idea what maths grads should do, but specifics apart - society needs good teachers (whether or not it appreciates them), so if you love teaching, it'd be wonderful. And if you do get into graduate school, you can teach after that also.

 

[Vanadium 50]

The thing with teaching is that some states require certification, which essentially is an extra year of classes. Some states have an alternative, "fast-track" program. I had a student who participated in that, and there was a great deal of resentment from teachers who had gone through the more traditional route. It made his dealings with co-workers very strained, and eventually he left that school.

It might be a good choice, but there are some issues that may not be apparent.

 

[wildman]

Aerospace hires lots of math grads for things like algorithm development. Lots of jobs there if you are a US citizen.